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90'

And now Sterling goes down inside the penalty area! The youngster flies into the left-hand side of the box before being absolutely flattened by Stones, but somehow the referee awards a goal kick instead of a penalty. The City players and fans are going mad, and rightly so!

HALF TIME

90'

Aguero screams for a penalty, but it's not given! The Argentine picks up the ball on the edge of the penalty area and beats both Jagielka and Stones before seemingly being tripped over by the latter as he makes his way into the box. He immediately gets back to his feet before pleading to the referee

0'

The referee blows his whistle for the final time and the City fans immediately shower him with boos. They really aren't happy with his decision not to give them a late penalty, as Sterling was clearly clipped by a clumsy sliding challenge from Stones. The hosts pushed extremely hard throughout the s

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FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 0-0 EVERTON

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The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.

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It's been a relatively even opening 45 minutes, with both sides enjoying good chances in front of goal. Toure came closest for the hosts with a bullet header that Howard did well to parry away, whilst at the other end of the pitch Osman almost beat Hart with a wonderful swerving volley. However, Eve

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HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 0-0 EVERTON

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The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.

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Meanwhile, Everton boss Roberto Martinez has made eight alterations to the largely second-string side that featured in the 2-0 victory against Dagenham and Redbridge on the weekend, with only Ramiro Funes Mori, Muhamed Besic and Phil Jagielka retaining their places in a heavily-altered starting line

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Manuel Pellegrini has decided to make five changes to the City side that started the aforementioned win against Norwich, with Joe Hart, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Yaya Toure and Kevin De Bruyne all returning to the starting line-up to replace Willy Caballero, Pablo Zabaleta, Aleksandar Kolarov, Fabi

There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this evening…

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With both sides struggling at the back whilst scoring plenty of goals at the other end of the pitch, tonight’s game has the potential to be a high scoring one. Saturday’s comfortable 3-0 win against Norwich City was only the second time since the start of November that today’s hosts have managed to

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As for City, last Wednesday’s Capital One Cup defeat will have been a blow, but their minds will now be focussed entirely on continuing their push for the Premier League crown. After playing four consecutive games away from home, today’s clash sees them return to the Etihad for the first time since

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Today is the second of three times that these two sides will have to meet each other over a two-and-a-half-week period, and it comes just seven days after Everton placed one foot in the Capital One Cup final with a 2-1 win against City at Goodison Park. Whilst they will no doubt be on a high after t

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Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Premier League game between Manchester City and Everton at the Etihad Stadium.

1'

And we're off! City get us underway, attacking from left to right.

3'

After a patient start to the game from both sides, Everton slowly move the ball around inside the City half of the pitch before Besic tries to pick out Deulofeu with a through-ball down the right wing. It's well hit and looks set to find the Spaniard, but at the last moment Clichy dives in front of

5'

A nervy headed clearance from Besic flies out of play for a City corner, despite the midfielder being under little pressure inside his own penalty area. De Bruyne swings the set-piece into the box, where it's cleared only as far as Navas. The hosts patiently work their way towards goal once again be

7'

Short, sharp passing from Everton results in a corner for them on the right wing. Baines curls it towards the near post, where it's headed away by Toure, but only as far as Barkley. The midfielder immediately unleashes a thumping shot from just outside of the City penalty area, but it's comfortably

9'

Lovely play by City! Toure picks out Sterling, who skips into the space in between the Everton defence and midfield before tapping a wonderful through-ball into the path of De Bruyne. The Belgian darts into the penalty area before firing a low shot towards the near post, but it fails to trouble Howa

11'

Sagna out-muscles Osman on the right wing before immediately launching a lofted pass up to Aguero. The Argentine tries to beat Jagielka but ends up being clumsily nudged to the ground by the Everton captain, resulting in a free kick for City in a very dangerous position just outside of the penalty a

13'

Osman is clattered into by Otamendi, who dives into the back of the veteran midfielder and sends him flying to the ground. For a moment it looks as if the Everton man might have picked up an early injury as a result of the challenge, but after a few moments on the floor he's able to get back to his

15'

Everton embark on a lengthy period of play deep inside the City half of the pitch as they look to find a way past the hosts' determined back line. Osman is eventually able to beat Clichy before teeing up Besic, who then tries to muscle his way past Otamendi inside the penalty area, but the Bosnian i

17'

Excellent save by Howard! City move the ball around quickly on the edge of the Everton penalty area before sending it out to Clichy on the right wing. The full-back then whips a wonderful cross into the middle of the box, where it finds Toure, but the Ivorian's thumping header is pushed away by a gr

18'

And now Deulofeu goes close! Everton immediately break away on a quick counter-attack, with Lukaku doing well to hold up the ball on the edge of the City penalty area before sending a lovely through-ball over to the aforementioned Spaniard. He flies towards goal before shooting from a close angle, b

19'

The resulting set-piece fails to result in a chance on goal for Everton, and instead it's City who break away on a blisteringly quick counter-attack. Aguero charges down the right wing before cutting inside and heading towards the penalty area, but Besic does wonderfully well to dart back and dispos

21'

City come back again quickly! De Bruyne finds himself in space on the left wing and he immediately whips a bouncing cross towards the near post. It almost finds Aguero, but Howard does well to rush out and push the ball back out to the aforementioned Belgian. He then quickly picks out Sterling, who

23'

Great run by Deulofeu! The Spaniard flies past Clichy with ease and heads towards the byline before trying to cut the ball back to Lukaku, but Otamendi does wonderfully well to stick out a foot and cut out the danger with a vital interception at the near post.

25'

Toure finds himself in space just in front of a clump of Everton players camped on the edge of the penalty area. He does well to pick out Aguero, who then tries to spin before going down under a tackle from Jagielka, but his tumble only results in a half-hearted appeal for a penalty, which the refer

27'

Barry, who has had a bit of trouble trying to deal with the pace and skill of Sterling thus far, is initially beaten by the youngster before hauling him to the ground 10 or so yards outside of the Everton penalty area. It initially looks as if he's going to be booked, but the referee decides to keep

28'

De Bruyne's initial cross from the free kick is poor, but Everton aren't able to fully clear the danger, allowing City to come back again quickly. Navas sees his cross thumped straight up into the air by Funes Mori before Toure charges back into the box, but Besic is just about able to shepherd the

29'

The cross from the corner is sent into an incredibly dangerous position in the heart of the Everton penalty area, where it finds the head of Otamendi, but the centre-back's bullet header ends up flying a few yards over the top of the crossbar and out for a goal kick.

31'

What a strike by Osman! A lofted pass is flung towards the edge of the City penalty area, where it finds the imposing figure of Lukaku. Once again, the Belgian does well to hold up the ball before spinning and teeing up the aforementioned midfielder with a lovely cross, and the 34-year-old immediate

33'

A half-hearted City attacking move breaks down, allowing Everton to fly forward on a quick counter-attack thanks to good play by Besic. Deulofeu charges forward before trying to find Barkley, but the Spaniard's through-ball is slightly overhit and denies the Englishman the chance to have a go on goa

34'

Lukaku goes close! Once again, the Belgian latches onto a long pass forward before flying past Demichelis with ease. The Argentine can't keep up with the Everton striker and allows him to head towards the near post, but just as he shoots he's put under pressure by Otamendi, who darts back and dives

35'

Vital defending by Besic! Aguero picks up the ball just outside of the Everton penalty area and takes advantage of a slip by Jagielka to dart into the box. He twists and turns and beats another blue shirt before looking to shoot, but just as he's about to do so the aforementioned Bosnian dives in th

37'

It's all Everton at the moment as they boss possession inside the City half of the pitch, and it's starting to frustrate the home fans. They're not used to seeing their side on the back foot, and they're growing increasingly uneasy with what they're seeing.

39'

After regaining possession, City initially work the ball around well before Sterling is picked out just outside of the Everton penalty area, but he carelessly strays into an offside position and the linesman's flag is quickly raised as a result.

40'

Good goalkeeping by Hart! Deulofeu picks up the ball in space on the right wing and immediately sends a terrific pass through the City defence and into the path of Lukaku. The striker makes a great run into the box as he looks to latch onto the ball, but the hosts' goalkeeper does well to cut out th

41'

De Bruyne and Sterling link up well on the edge of the Everton penalty area before the Belgian darts towards the byline and cuts the ball back towards Aguero. His low cross takes a deflection off Funes Mori, which sends it into the path of Howard, and the American goalkeeper is just about able to cu

43'

Stones and Deulofeu play a nice one-two with one another before the latter once again beats Clichy with ease down the right flank. He gets himself into a good position before trying to tee up Lukaku, but his final touch is heavy and sends the ball rolling into the hands of Hart.

45'

De Bruyne charges forward before being clumsily tripped over by Osman, resulting in a free kick for City that might well be their final chance of the first half. It's curled into the heart of the penalty area, but once again the Belgian's cross is poorly hit and can only find Howard, who does well t

46'

And we're underway once again!

48'

Sterling flies past Stones deep down the left flank before firing a brilliant low cross into the middle of the Everton box, but there are no City players there to meet it, resulting in Baines being able to comfortably deal with the danger.

49'

Everton fly forward on a quick counter-attack, with Besic playing a particularly important role in the move before setting up Lukaku with a well-weighted through-ball. The Belgian darts into the City penalty area before unleashing a first-time strike, but he's closed down quickly by Otamendi and, as

50'

The resulting set-piece is poor and fails to trouble the City back line, allowing the hosts to break forward quickly through Aguero. Stones is down on the ground injured, leaving Everton with one less player able to defend, so Besic cynically trips the Argentine to the ground in an attempt to bring

51'

Stones looks to be really struggling after going down in the wake of his battle with Sterling a few minutes ago, but it seems as if he's going to be able to continue for the time being, even if he doesn't look entirely comfortable.

53'

City go close! De Bruyne twists and turns on the right-hand side of the Everton penalty area before winning his side a corner. It initially fails to trouble the visitors but bounces out to Navas on the edge of the penalty area, and the Spaniard quickly unleashes an almighty cross-cum-shot that flies

54'

Almost a terrible mistake by Stones! The stand-in right-back spends far too long on the ball, resulting in him being dispossessed by Sterling in a very dangerous position. The winger flies forward and enters the penalty area before trying to shoot, but just as he does so he's closed down well by Jag

56'

Great chance for Sterling! Once again, De Bruyne shows great skill on the right-hand side of the Everton penalty area before cutting a low cross into the path of the aforementioned youngster. It meets him in front of goal and he immediately unleashes a shot, but Stones does wonderfully well to throw

58'

Aguero breaks through the middle of the defence and latches onto a lovely pass forward before testing Howard with a thumping strike, but it ends up flying just a yard or so wide of the near post before the linesman's flag is eventually, and correctly, raised for offside.

60'

City patiently pass the ball around deep inside the Everton half of the pitch as they look to find a way through the sea of blue shirts camped in front of them. Toure is eventually able to bulldoze his way into the box before unleashing a shot, but Funes Mori is just about able to stick out a foot t

61'

What a save by Howard! The resulting corner is fired low and hard into the heart of the penalty area, where it finds Aguero, and the Argentine immediately unleashes a thumping strike. There's an incredible amount of power on the shot and it looks set to find the back of the net, but it's sent too ne

63'

In stark contrast to the vast majority of the first half, it's now City who are firmly on the front foot. Everton are finding it extremely difficult to get near the ball and, as a result, they've been forced onto the back foot by the determined hosts.

65'

City work the ball around well, with Toure now occupying an advanced position as his side aim to put Everton under even more pressure. A lovely flick from the Ivorian finds Sterling, who immediately tries to pick out Aguero, but his cross is headed out for a corner by Jagielka.

66'

Chance for Sterling! The resulting set-piece fails to result in a chance on goal but City come back again quickly. The aforementioned youngster showcases his great skills as he weaves his way into the box, but his low strike is pushed away by the outstretched foot of Howard.

68'

Howard saves the day once again! This time it's De Bruyne who tests the American with a low cross-cum-shot, and, once more, he's able to push it away with his feet. The ball finds Sterling, however, who then unleashes a strike of his own, but again the Everton goalkeeper refuses to be beaten and pul

70'

What a chance for Aguero! The Argentine picks up the ball inside the Everton penalty area and spins round Funes Mori before unleashing a low strike from close range, but Howard does brilliantly to close down the shot and stop it from finding the back of the net. The American has been absolutely incr

71'

SI S. Pienaar SO L. Osman

71'

SI A. Koné SO L. Osman

71'

And the second is Pienaar, who takes the place of Osman on the left flank.

71'

Everton have decided to make a double substitution. The first player to come on is Kone, who replaces Deulofeu.

73'

Another determined City attacking move almost results in a decent chance on goal for the hosts, but, once again, Everton sit deep and defend well before De Bruyne lashes an audacious, long-range effort well over the top of the crossbar.

74'

SI David Silva SO L. Osman

74'

That proves to be De Bruyne's final touch of the game, as he makes way for Silva in City's first alteration of the evening.

76'

Chance for Navas! Clichy, who has started to push further forward over the past 10 minutes, is able to get himself into a good position deep down the left flank, and he uses it to his advantage before curling a cross into the middle of the Everton box. The aforementioned Spaniard does well to meet i

78'

A half-hearted attacking move by Everton breaks down, and City take advantage by breaking away on a quick counter-attack. Navas flies down the right wing and cuts inside before chipping a cross into the box, but it's poorly hit and is easily cut out by Funes Mori.

80'

Silva, who has looked incredibly bright since coming onto the pitch, picks up the ball in space just outside of the Everton box and immediately unleashes a shot that is deflected out for a corner. The resulting set-piece is flung into the middle of the box, but it's dealt with well by the visitors'

82'

Lovely play by Aguero! Silva twists and turns on the edge of the penalty area before teeing up the aforementioned Argentine, who spins past Funes Mori before beating Howard. However, his chipped shot is slightly overhit and ends up clearing the top of the crossbar by two or three yards.

84'

Great block by Demichelis! After spending the vast majority of the second half on the back foot, Everton are finally able to push forward on a quick attack down the left flank. Baines cuts inside before teeing up Lukaku, who immediately unleashes a shot from inside the penalty area, but the aforemen

86'

Pienaar does well to force Clichy into bringing him down in a dangerous position on the left wing, resulting in a free kick that, unsurprisingly, Everton take their time with. It's eventually curled into the box by Baines, but it fails to beat the first man.

88'

Pienaar embarks on a great run forward as he weaves past several City players just outside of the hosts' penalty area. He then tees up Lukaku, who spins quickly before looking to shoot from the edge of the box, but just as he's about to do so he's dispossessed by a well-timed tackle from Sagna.

89'

Lukaku goes close! After spending the vast majority of the second half on the back foot, Everton are now pushing forward for one last time. Besic does well to get himself into an advanced position before whipping a cross into the middle of the box, where the aforementioned striker meets it well befo

90'

The fourth official has indicated that there will be three minutes of added time.